Office for National Statistics

A chart showing the long-term picture around sick leave in NI's civil service

Sickness rates in Northern Ireland's civil service highest for 19 years

City workers walk past the Bank of England in London (Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Inflation rises above 2% - what that means for consumers

It is significant that the NI political parties are as one in a plea for 'fair funding' from London - they mean more funding, writes Esmond Birnie

Esmond Birnie: Confidence on affordability of a united Ireland is flawed

Essential food items are predicted to significantly increase by 2030. (Photo credit: Stockfotos-MG - stock.adobe.com/Minerva Studio - stock.adobe.com)

How much essential food items could cost by 2030

The Bank of England in the City of London

UK economy exits recession after 0.6% growth in latest quarter

Northern Ireland and Scotland had the highest rates of drink-related deaths in 2022, figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed

New figures reveal more drink-specific deaths after Covid

The UK population stood at an estimated 67.6 million people in mid-2022, up by 4.3 million since mid-2011, new figures show

UK population climbs to 67.6 million, with NI rising 5.3% since mid-2011

John Korchak, Managing Director, Inform Direct.

Company start-ups In Northern Ireland hit record high

On a monthly basis, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices fell by 0.4% between December and January.

Inflation unchanged in January as food prices fall for first time since 2021

Are you giving your dog the correct diet?

I’m a pet food expert: avoid these five ingredients in your dog’s food

Public sector workers held a mass rally at Belfast City Hall on Thursday

News Letter breaks down public sector pay versus private sector pay

Inflation dropped to 3.9% in November, the lowest level in more than two years. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Inflation drops to lowest level in more than two years

Outlining the recent statistics and highlighting Northern Ireland ‘ambition, creativity and resilience’, John Korchak, managing director at Inform Direct praised Northern Ireland’s ‘positive environment for business’

​Northern Ireland companies show highest five year survival rates in UK

The UK's inflation rate remained at 6.7% last month despite hopes that a third consecutive dip would be seen, with lower food and drink prices offset by higher petrol and diesel prices. (Credit: Getty Images)

UK inflation remains stagnant at 6.7% despite hopes for another dip

Study launched to monitor current levels of Covid-19 in the UK population

Study launched to monitor current levels of Covid-19 in the UK population

Morning View

Editorial: Science triumph sees number of centenarians soar

News Letter editorial on Tuesday September 19 2023

Editorial

The UK economy shrank by 0.5% in July, prompting more recession fears.

Recession fears as UK economy shrinks by ‘more than expected’ in July

There were 11,030 house sales in Northern Ireland in the first six months of 2023 compared to 13,810 last year. Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire

​Northern Ireland house sales take 20% drop

Morning View

Editorial: ​Too many public holidays comes at a price for society

Homeowners on variable rate mortgages linked to the base rate would see an increase in their payments.

Rise in mortgage rates on Thursday looks inescapable, say experts

Nearly 13,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Northern Ireland since 2010, according to figures from the GMB union

Nearly 13,000 manufacturing jobs lost in Northern Ireland since 2010 says GMB

Interactive chart shows which supermarkets have biggest price rises

UFU deputy president, John McLenaghan, on his farm near Garvagh. Picture: Cliff Donaldson

Dysfunctional food system is not sustainable for farmers says UFU

Accoding to ONS data, eggs are now likely to be one of the most expensive items on your shopping list, with the price having gone up 37% since last year. Sugar has risen in cost by 47.4% and olive oil by 46.4% while low-fat milk will now cost you 33.5% more than previously as food prices remain at there highest in 45 years despite a drop in inflation - the biggest since the cost of living crisis began

We haven't had to pay this much for sugar, olive oil and eggs in 45 years

This is the first time inflation has dropped below double digits since August last year - but concerns remain over the rate at which food prices are increasing..

Inflation drops to 8.7%, food costs still high - how it affects you

Average house prices.

House prices: Average cost of a property falls between February and March

UK unemployment rate increase - ONS

Figures released by Office for National Statistics show that unemployment rates rose in the January-March quarter.

Beth Franklin

Shoppers in Belfast City Centre

Inflation driving retail sales growth but shopper budgets still under pressure

As the rate of inflation remains exceedingly high, consumers can expect to pay 29.7% more for milk, eggs and cheese as cost of living crisis continues

Expect to pay 29.7% more than you usually would for milk, cheese and eggs

A 'family food parcel', intended to feed a family of four for three days. Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

Warning as soaring food costs yet to peak and more people turning to food banks

Food prices.

Food prices: Minister says increases in cost of food have reached their peak

Surprise jump in February inflation due to salad shortages, food & booze

Shock as inflation rises to 10.4% unexpectedly - what it means

A new study has revealed the top 15 baby names that have ties to Ireland or are of Irish origin which remain popular among parents.

Top 15 most popular Irish baby names

A total of 77,432 companies were registered in Northern Ireland an increase of 4.6% on the previous 12 months. During the year 8,575 new companies were established. Pictured is John Korchak, managing director at Inform Direct

Number of companies in Northern Ireland hits record high

Coronavirus continues to be least prevalent in Northern Ireland, at around one in 60 people.

'Uncertain trend' for positive COVID infections in Northern Ireland

Census data shows number of people never married rises

Tobacco duty set to rise causing a jump in cigarette prices

Awoman holding a shopping basket.

Food prices unlikely to fall any time soon even as inflation eases, says Poots

Top 10 safest places in the UK revealed - is your area on the list?

Nigel the young cotton-top tamarin monkey on mother Florencia’s back at Drusillas Zoo Park in Alfriston, East Sussex (Credit: Drusillas Zoo Park/SWNS)

Baby monkey saving endangered species and unpopular name ‘Nigel’

Saving money away for a rainy day might be a good idea given the cost of living crisis (image: Adobe)

Workers would need £49,300 salary to feel financially ‘comfortable’

On January 5, there were 374 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals with confirmed Covid-19, up from 226 on December 5 2022

Rise in Covid and flu cases adding to hospital pressures, top scientist warns

The records stretch all the way back to the 1500s, and plenty of surprising Christmas-thmed names were discovered.

Most popular Christmas-themed baby names including Holly and Sprout

The number of people who smoke in Northern Ireland is continuing to fall

Number of smokers in Northern Ireland continues to fall

Surging energy bills as inflation hits 41-year high and Budget looms

Job centre

Second monthly rise in numbers claiming unemployment benefits in NI

People walk near the Job Centre in Westminster.

Unemployment rate increases as UK economy heads for recession

Covid-19 infections have fallen in all four UK nations for the first time in nearly three months, in fresh evidence the latest wave of the virus has peaked.

Covid-19 infections fall in all UK nations for first time since summer

UK Covid levels fall but cases rise in Northern Ireland new data reveals

Consumers are being urged to watch out for energy-draining ‘vampire’ appliances this Halloween

Watch out for energy-draining ‘vampire’ appliances this Halloween

One in 35 have Covid in Northern Ireland says latest survey - estimate for infections is 53,700, or one in 35 people, up from 44,200, or one in 40.

One in 35 have Covid in Northern Ireland says latest survey

London, UK. 21 November, 2019. Donations are made at the launch of the Tesco Food Collection in the Surrey Quays Extra store.

NI food banks sound the alarm over soaring prices for cheapest foodstuffs

Covid cases are rising in the UK, new figures reveal, sparking fears of a winter wave of the virus.

UK Covid cases rising - but experts say infections may have peaked

Houses for sale

Annual house price growth in Northern Ireland 9.6%

Food bank

Rising food prices: 'Busiest winter on record' ahead for NI food banks